Kerry Says Yemen Not Yet A Failed State, Seeks Peace Talks

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Yemen can avoid ending up a failed state.

Kerry says the verdict isn’t in yet, despite fighting in the center of the southern city of Aden and the U.N.’s warning of a humanitarian disaster.

Kerry says the U.S. is working with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to start peace negotiations between Yemen’s government and the Houthi rebels who’ve conquered much of the country.

Kerry says if that happens, Yemen “has the opportunity to hold itself together.”

He says Yemen faces fuel, food and medicine shortages.

Kerry — who was in Sri Lanka on Saturday — expressed hope that more aid can reach Yemen while a Saudi-led air campaign tries to restore Yemen’s internationally recognized president.